Systems and methods for organizing, storing, and carrying items

ABSTRACT

An organization system may include a storage device comprising a plurality of compartments, wherein the plurality of compartments comprise at least a first compartment having a first characteristic feature and at least a second compartment having a second characteristic feature that differs from the first characteristic feature. The organization system may also include a first portable container comprising the first characteristic feature and a second portable container comprising the second characteristic feature.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/951,929, filed Jul. 25, 2007, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present teachings relate to systems and methods to store, organize, and/or carry items.

BACKGROUND

When people spend time outside of their homes, they often carry certain items from their home along with them. For example, when leaving the home with infants and/or toddlers, a caretaker (e.g., parent, grandparent, babysitter, etc.) may pack various items that may be needed while away from the home. Such necessities may include, but are not limited to, for example, diapers, wipes, snacks, bottles, cups, toys or other playthings, feeding utensils, bibs, place mats, various containers of ointments, lotions, and/or creams, and/or other types of items. Various items may also be needed when taking older children to activities outside of the home, such as, for example, to school, sporting activities, and/or other extracurricular activities. Such items that may be brought from the home for older children, include, but are not limited to, for example, various sporting gear, equipment for entertainment, school notebooks and/or other school-related items, backpacks, etc.

A challenge that may arise is how to manage all “the stuff” (e.g., the various items) one needs, both inside the home and when spending time outside the home. Although the challenge of managing items in the home to be carried for use outside the home may arise in particular when leaving the home with infants, toddlers, and/or older children, such challenges may arise in other situations as well. Adults, for example, may need to organize items that they carry outside of the home, such as, for example, to work, to the gym, on vacation and/or for other hobbies such as fishing, gardening, hunting, etc. Such items that may be brought from the home for adults, include, but are not limited to, for example, various briefcases, sporting gear, vacation gear, other supplies in support of various hobbies, etc. Moreover, such challenges may arise in a variety of circumstances wherein it is desirable to organize and store items for use in one location (e.g., a central location), that may also be taken and used away from that central location.

A variety of organizers exist for organizing and storing items within one's home. For organizing items relating to infants, toddlers, and/or children, many types of storage containers of various shapes and sizes exist, including, for example, multi-compartment storage containers that are intended to hang from a door, hang within a closet or hang on the wall and hold various items. There also exist various totes and/or diaper bags with one or more storage compartments within them and/or with one or more removable storage compartments to assist in carrying and organizing items taken from the home while traveling away from the home.

Conventional organization and storage containers for use within the home (or other central location) may not effectively help an individual in determining what items from the storage container to pack when traveling away from the home (or other central location). Further, such conventional storage containers may not provide a structured system to aid an individual in choosing what items to place in what compartments of the container. Conventional bags and totes used for carrying packed items for use when traveling away from the house (or other central location) also may not provide a structured system that facilitates packing the items to carry along. Conventional bags also may not facilitate a user in quickly locating items within the bag that may be desired to be used. Conventional bags also may not facilitate and cooperate with the use of a central storage system within the home (or other central location) that stores the various items one may want to pack in bags and carry from the home (or other central location).

It may be desirable to provide a system and/or method that assists individuals with the organizing of items within the home and the carrying of such items when leaving the home. It also may be desirable to provide a system and/or method that assists individuals in determining what items may be useful to take from the home when traveling away from the home, for example, with infants, toddlers, and/or older children. It also may be desirable to provide a system and/or method that reduces the amount of time an individual spends when packing items from the home to take along when traveling away from the home. It may also be desirable to provide a system and/or method that maximizes space while storing and/or carrying various items. Moreover, it may be desirable to provide a system and/or method that reduces the amount of time an individual spends locating desired items either within the home or to be carried from the home while traveling away from the home.

SUMMARY

The present invention may satisfy one or more of the above-mentioned desirable features. Other features may become apparent from the description which follows.

In accordance with various exemplary aspects of the present teachings, the invention may include a system for storing and organizing a plurality of differing types of items within a central location, such as, for example, the home. In accordance with various exemplary aspects of the present teachings, the invention may include a system for storing, organizing, and carrying a plurality of differing items that may be used outside of the central location, such as, for example, the home.

In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, the present teachings contemplate an organization system that comprises a storage device comprising a plurality of compartments, wherein the plurality of compartments comprise at least a first compartment having a first characteristic feature and at least a second compartment having a second characteristic feature that differs from the first characteristic feature. The organization system may also include a first portable container comprising the first characteristic feature and a second portable container comprising the second characteristic feature.

In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, the present teachings also contemplate a method of organizing comprising prompting an individual to place items of a first type into the at least one first compartment comprising a first characteristic feature and to place items of a second type into at least one second compartment comprising a second characteristic feature that differs from the first characteristic feature, prompting the individual to remove items of the first type from the at least one first compartment and to place the removed items into a first portable container comprising the first characteristic feature, and prompting the individual to remove items of the second type from the at least one second compartment and to place the removed items into a second portable container comprising the second characteristic feature.

In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, the present teachings further contemplate a method of organizing comprising providing at least one item of a first type in at least one first storage compartment having a first characteristic feature, providing at least one item of a second type that differs from the first type in at least one second storage compartment having a second characteristic feature that differs from the first characteristic feature, removing the at least one item of the first type from the first storage compartment and placing the at least one item of the first type into a first portable container comprising the first characteristic feature, and removing the at least one item of the second type from the second storage compartment and placing the at least one item of the second type into a second portable container comprising the second characteristic feature.

In the following description, certain aspects and embodiments will become evident. It should be understood that the invention, in its broadest sense, could be practiced without having one or more features of these aspects and embodiments. It should be understood that these aspects and embodiments are merely exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention can be understood from the following detailed description either alone or together with the accompanying drawings. The drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments of the present teachings and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operation. In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a multi-compartment storage device in accordance with the present teachings;

FIGS. 2A-2D are plan views of an exemplary embodiment of carrying containers in accordance with the present teachings;

FIGS. 3A-3D are plan views of another exemplary embodiment of the carrying containers in accordance with the present teachings;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of another exemplary embodiment of a multi-compartment storage device in accordance with the present teachings;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are a perspective view and an interior view, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of a travel tote in accordance with the present teachings; and

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a printed sheet in accordance with the present teachings.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to various exemplary embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

As illustrated schematically in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2D, in an exemplary embodiment, an organizational system may comprise a supply “headquarters” 100, for example, for use within a central location, such as, for example, the home, and one or more carrying packs 200 a-200 d for use to pack one or more items 190 from the headquarters 100 and carry when away from the home. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the so-called supply “headquarters” 100 may be a multi-compartment storage device 110 configured to receive various items that may be useful when traveling away from home. It should be understood, however, that the items held in the supply headquarters 100 also may be used in the home. In accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present teachings, items are placed (e.g., stocked) in the supply headquarters 100 and, when leaving the home, items from the supply “headquarters” may be packed into one or more of packs 200 a-200 d to be carried away from the home.

In various exemplary embodiments, the multi-compartment storage device 110 may have labels 145 with writing or other indicia thereon (not shown) to indicate types of items to be placed in each row A-D of the compartments 115 of the device 110 (e.g., the labels could include the words “Eat,” “Potty,” “Play,” “Do Anything,” “Bathe,” “Sports,” “Swim,” “Work,” “Golf,” “A-Z,” etc.; alternatively, the labels could include pictures or other indicia used to connote the various aforementioned word or other words). The labels 145 may be permanently affixed to the backing 150 or may be removably attached to the backing 150, such as, for example, via hook and loop, adhesive, or a transparent sleeve into which the labels 145 may be received. In the case of removable labels 145, the labels 145 may be changed and/or interchanged, as desired, so as to permit customization of the supply headquarters 100. Moreover, compartments 115 that hold items of a similar type may be provided with a substantially similar characteristic feature (e.g., matching), such as, for example, a substantially similar color and/or pattern.

As shown in FIG. 1, the compartments 115 of each row A-D are provided with an at least substantially similar characteristic feature 120, 122, 124, and 126, respectively, represented by differing shading in FIG. 1. The characteristic features 120, 122, 124, and 126 of each row A-D differ from each other. Thus, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, four unique characteristic features 120, 122, 124, and 126 are depicted. However, the compartments 115 of one row A-D have a substantially similar characteristic feature. That is, all of the compartments 115 of row A have the characteristic feature 120, the compartments 115 of row B have the characteristic feature 122, the compartments 115 of row C have the characteristic feature 124, and the compartments 115 of row D have the characteristic feature 126. The labels 145 corresponding to each row A-D also may have a substantially similar (e.g., matching) characteristic feature as the respective row A-D to which each label 145 corresponds, as indicated by the matching shading of each label 145 in FIG. 1.

As used herein, a characteristic features described as being substantially similar may include characteristic features that match each other or that conjure in a user's mind an association with each other. By way of example, if the characteristic feature includes polka dots, a substantially similar characteristic feature may include larger polka dots or different colored polka dots. As another illustrative example, if the characteristic feature includes a first shade of blue, substantially similar characteristic feature may include a different shade of blue. In contrast, characteristic features described as differing from one another do not match and also do not conjure in a user's mind an association with each other.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates the differing characteristic features 120, 122, 124, and 126 as differing patterns (e.g., shading), it should be understood that the shading is used for ease of illustration. Those having skill in the art would recognize that a variety of characteristic features could be used in accordance with the present teachings. Examples of suitable characteristic features include, but are not limited to, pattern, color, texture, smell, sound, and/or a combination of such characteristic features. For example, in the case of sound, each compartment 115 in a common row A-D may be provided with a device that emits a substantially similar sound when a portion associated with the container is touched, pressed, or otherwise actuated; for example, all of the compartments 115 in row A may be provided with bells that jingle when the compartment is opened or moved. The compartments 115 in differing rows A-D may be provided with devices emitting differing sounds.

In various exemplary embodiments, the multi-compartment storage device 110 may comprise a backing 150, which may, for example, be made of a fabric, plastic, or other material, with a plurality of compartments 115 that may be substantially in the form of pockets. Each row A-D may comprise one or more pockets, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, each row A-D may contain four pockets. When used to contain items suitable for infants, toddlers, and/or young children, the pocket compartments 115 of the storage device 110 may be sized and shaped to contain various items 190 such as, diapers, bottles, tubes/containers of ointments and other care products (e.g., travel-sized tubes/containers), feeding utensils, food, toys (e.g., travel toys), bibs, disposable placemats, etc. Although in the schematic depiction of FIG. 1, each compartment 115 is shown holding only a single item 190, it should be understood that a plurality of items of the same or a similar type may be placed within one or more of the compartments 115. For example, in the row A, a single compartment 115 could house a plurality of spoons or a fork, a spoon, and a knife, etc. In various exemplary embodiments, the compartments 115 may be pleated on the sides thereof or otherwise configured (not shown) to provide expandable pockets, for example, that expand outwardly from the backing 150, to provide greater storage capacity if needed.

Although the illustration of FIG. 1 depicts compartments 115 of roughly the same size and shape, those having skill in the art would recognize that the compartments could be of differing sizes and shapes chosen, for example, based on the items to be placed in the compartments 115. Further, those having skill in the art would recognize that any number of compartments 115 ranging from 1 to more than 1 may be provided in each row A-D, and at least some of the rows A-D may have differing numbers of compartments. An exemplary embodiment of a multi-compartment storage device having compartments of differing sizes and having three pockets in each row is illustrated in FIG. 4, described in more detail below. Also, there may be more or less than four rows of compartments. Those having ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the characteristic feature on the compartments of each row need not be provided in the same format on each compartment. By way of nonlimiting example only, the characteristic feature may be provided as piping on one compartment in a row and as a flap for closing the compartment on another compartment in the row; numerous permutations are envisioned and considered within the scope of the present teachings.

Moreover, although in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, compartments 115 are substantially in the form of pockets, those skilled in the art would recognize that the compartments could have any of a variety of configurations and/or combinations thereof. For example, the compartments could be in the form of shelves (not shown) that extend substantially perpendicularly to the backing 150 with a vertical wall on the front ledge of the shelf to keep items from failing out. Also, aside from a compartment structure, various other storing and/or holding mechanisms could be used in addition to or in lieu of compartments, including, but not limited to, for example, ledges, hooks, etc. For example, hooks may be useful when hanging ribbons, bows, ties, etc.

The backing 150 may be made from a variety of materials. In various exemplary embodiments, suitable materials for the backing 150 may be relatively durable and relatively easily cleaned. Examples of suitable materials include, but are not limited to, canvas, plastic, polyester, cotton, cotton/polyester blend, nylon, for example, of 420-denier or higher, and/or combinations thereof. The pocket-like compartments 115 may be formed from a similar or different material as the backing 150 and attached thereto, for example, by sewing, gluing, and/or other securing mechanisms. In various exemplary embodiments, the compartments 115 may be made of a material that is at least partially transparent so as to permit items received in the compartments 115 to be easily viewed without having to open the compartment 115 and look inside. The material also may be one that is substantially leak-proof and easy to clean, as the compartments 115 may hold items in the form of various containers containing creams, ointments, lotions, etc. A nonlimiting example of a suitable material to form the compartment 115 includes a clear vinyl or other plastic. Another suitable material that may permit transparency of the compartments 115 includes, for example, a fabric mesh. The compartments 115 may have a closure mechanism (not shown), for example, on an inner surface toward the top, that cooperates with a closure mechanism on the fabric backing to help close the opening formed by the upper portions of the compartments 115. Suitable closure mechanisms include, but are not limited to zippers, buttons, snaps, hook and loop, etc.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the characteristic features 120, 122, 124, and 126 may be provided on a swatch of material overlayed on an exterior of the compartment 115 and attached thereto, for example, via sewing, gluing, and/or other securing mechanism. A piping may be provided to outline each pocket and the piping may have a characteristic feature (e.g., color, texture, pattern, etc.) that is substantially similar to (e.g., matches) the characteristic feature 120, 122, 124, 126 of the compartment 115 to which the piping corresponds.

The storage device 110 may be provided with extra compartments 165 (e.g., pockets) or other holding mechanisms to hold various miscellaneous items, such as, for example, documents (e.g., contact list, for example that contains emergency contact information for various people and/or organizations; a list of items useful for stocking the supply headquarters 100; instructions for using the system; a notepad containing sheets to write down items needed to be purchased for stocking the supply headquarters 100), a mirror, magnetic board, chalk board, keys, sunglasses, cell phone, etc. The compartments 165 also may be made of a transparent material, such as, for example, vinyl or other plastic material, or a mesh fabric, and secured to the backing via suitable securing mechanisms in a manner similar to compartments 115. In various exemplary embodiments, the extra compartments may not include a characteristic feature so as to convey that the compartments 165 or other holding mechanisms are generic as to types of items placed therein or held thereby.

In an exemplary embodiment, a notepad configured to be received by one of the extra compartments 165 may include a plurality of removable sheets, for example, sheets of paper, in a manner similar to conventional notepads with which those ordinarily skilled in the art are familiar. In various exemplary embodiments, the sheets of paper may include adhesive on a portion thereof so as to be formed as “sticky notes,” with which those having ordinarily skill in the art are familiar. The sheets may be configured as shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6. The sheet 600 may include differing sections that include a portion comprising a characteristic feature, for example, characteristic features 620, 622, 624, and 626, respectively, shown in FIG. 6. In an exemplary embodiment, the characteristic features 620, 622, 624, and 626 may be substantially similar to (e.g., match) the respective characteristic features 120, 122, 124, and 126 of the supply headquarters 100. The portion comprising the characteristic features 620, 622, 624, and 626 also may include writing or other indicia 647 thereon to correspond to the writing or indicia on the labels 145 of the supply headquarters so as to provide guidance for the types of items (e.g., the items 190 in each of rows A-D) to include on a shopping list created on the sheet 600. For example, when corresponding to the exemplary embodiment of the supply headquarters 100 described above, the writing or indicia 647 may include, respectively and as shown in FIG. 6, the words “EAT,” “PLAY,” “POTTY,” and “A-Z” which may correspond to wording provided on the respective labels 145 in each of rows A-D of the supply headquarters of FIG. 1. Of course, those having skill in the art would recognize that the words shown in FIG. 6 are exemplary and nonlimiting and other words and/or indicia (e.g., pictures, etc.) may be included to designate a type of item to be put in that portion of the sheet of paper. In various exemplary embodiments and as shown in FIG. 6, the sheet 600 may be lined and the lines corresponding to each of the sections including the characteristic features 620, 622, 624, and 626 may also include a substantially similar (e.g., matching) characteristic feature. For example, if the characteristic features 620, 622, 624, and 626 are differing colors, the lines corresponding to each section may be of the same color of that section.

When using the sheet 600, an individual may write items needed for stocking the supply headquarters 100 in the respective sections of the sheet of paper 600 corresponding to each characteristic feature 620, 622, 624, and 626. By way of example, in the section of the sheet of paper 600 corresponding to characteristic feature 620, items relating to feeding for stocking the headquarters 100 in the compartments 115 of row A may be written down, and in the section corresponding to characteristic feature 622, items relating to playthings for stocking the headquarters 100 in the compartments 115 of row B may be written down. In the section corresponding to characteristic feature 624, items relating to the potty or going to the bathroom for stocking the headquarters 100 in the compartments 115 of row C may be written down, and in the section corresponding to characteristic feature 626, items relating to any other miscellaneous categories that one may need, for example, for infants, toddlers, and/or young children, for stocking the headquarters 100 in the compartments 115 of row D may be written down. Accordingly, the sheet of paper 600 is configured as a component of the overall organizational system of various exemplary embodiments of the present teachings. As such, the notepad or sheets 600 could also be held within a travel tote, such as, for example, that shown and described with reference to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 5A and 5B below.

Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that numerous modifications could be made to the design of the sheet 600 without departing from the scope of the present teachings. For example, there could be any number of sections corresponding to differing characteristic features and the sections and portions having the characteristic features identifying each section may be in various arrangements on the sheet of paper. Moreover, the sheet 600 may be useful in combination with the overall organizational systems described herein, but also may be useful as a stand-alone device. Regarding the latter, by way of non-limiting example, a sheet could have a plurality of portions having differing characteristic features and each characteristic feature could represent a differing type of item, such as, for example, dairy, meat, cleaning supplies, produce, etc. and used to organize a shopping list for the grocery store. As with other exemplary embodiments described herein, the indicia may include writing thereon identifying the type of items to be listed in the corresponding portion.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the storage device 110 may be configured to hang on a door or wall and may include one or more loops 170 configured to hang on one or more nails, hooks (e.g., over-the-door hooks), or other suitable hanging mechanisms. Alternative hanging mechanisms also may be provided on the device 110, such as, for example, one or more grommets or other mechanisms configured to hang the device 110. In various exemplary embodiments, the storage device 110 may be configured to hang on a hanger in a closet or may have a hanger formed integrally therewith to hang in a closet.

The supply headquarters 100 may be customizable by a user, for example, by selecting which characteristic feature will be indicative of which types of items to be placed in the compartments 115 comprising that respective characteristic feature. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment wherein the labels 145 are removable, a variety of labels indicating differing item types may be provided and selected according to the item types one desires to store and organize. In another embodiment, the labels could identify different names of people using the items contained within, for example, “Mom,” “Dad,” “Dick,” “Jane.” The supply headquarters 100 primarily may be used to store and organize items 190 within the home or other central location that may then be desired to be packed and carried away from the home or other central location.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 2A-2D, a plurality of portable carrying containers 200 a-200 d also may be provided that coordinate with the characteristic features of the supply headquarters 100. In the exemplary system of FIGS. 1 and 2, there may be four portable carrying containers 200 a-200 d to correspond to each of the four rows A-D of compartments 115 of the storage device 110, as will be understood from the description which follows. Each of the carrying containers, which may be in the form of packs, for example, 200 a-200 d may be provided with a differing characteristic feature 220, 222, 224, and 226 that is substantially similar to (e.g., matches) the respective characteristic features 120, 122, 124, and 126. In this way, when a user is ready to leave the home, the user may take one or more items 190 from one or more compartments 115 in row A and place those items in coordinating pack 200 a, take one or more items 190 from one or more compartments 115 in row B and place those items in coordinating pack 200 b, take one or more items 190 from one or more compartments 115 in row C and place those items in coordinating pack 200 c, and/or take one or more items 190 from one or more compartments 115 in row D and place those items in coordinating pack 200 d.

In accordance with various exemplary aspects of the present teachings, the carrying packs 200 a-200 d may be sized and configured so as to be relatively easily carried from the home, for example, to be placed in a travel tote, such as for example, the exemplary tote shown and described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B below, a diaper bag, a duffle bag, a backpack, suitcase or other travel bag. It is envisioned that the carrying packs 200 a-200 d may be taken from the home individually or with at least one other carrying pack 200 a-200 d, as desired. It is also envisioned that in various exemplary embodiments, the supply headquarters could be configured to hold clothing or other larger and/or bulkier items that might be packed in carrying packs of a differing configuration (e.g., relatively large). Such larger packs may be particularly suitable for use in packing for extended trips in which a suitcase may be used to hold the packs. In such an embodiment, by way of nonlimiting example, there may be seven packs with seven differing characteristic features corresponding to each day of the week and clothes for each day of the week packed in the packs. Those packs may then be placed in a suitcase, which also may have portions, such as compartments having characteristic features that match the characteristic features of the packs.

Each of the carrying packs 200 a-200 d also may be provided with a permanently affixed or removable label 245 a-245 d, for example, a hook and loop label, a label with adhesive, or a label that may slide in a clear plastic sleeve on the carrying pack 200 a-200 d, etc. that respectively correspond in characteristic feature and wording or other indicia to the labels 145 of the supply headquarters 100. In this way, as with the supply headquarters 100, the carrying packs 200 a-200 d also may be customizable to carry items of a particular type that a user may select. The labels 245 a-245 d also may assist in providing users guidance (e.g., prompt users) as to what is contained in each pack 200 a-200 d by virtue of their respective characteristic feature and/or wording/indicia thereon, as well as from which rows A-D of the supply headquarters 100 to select the items to fill the corresponding packs 200 a-200 d.

In an exemplary embodiment, the carrying packs 200 a-200 d are made at least partially of a transparent material so as to permit items received in the packs 200 a-200 d to be easily viewed without having to open the packs 200 a-200 d and look inside. The material also may be one that may be substantially leak-proof and easy to clean, as the packs 200 a-200 d likely may hold items in the form of various containers containing creams, ointments, lotions, etc. A nonlimiting example of a suitable material to form at least part of the packs 200 a-200 d includes a clear vinyl, such as, for example, 0.30 mm to 0.40 mm clear vinyl or other plastic. The packs 200 a-200 d, in various exemplary embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 2A-2D, may include a front face that is made of a clear plastic (e.g., vinyl) material and a back face (not shown) that is at least partially made of a material that has a characteristic feature that is substantially similar to characteristic feature 220, 222, 224, and 226, respectively. The characteristic feature (which may be a color, pattern, texture and/or combination thereof, for example) of the back face may show through the clear front face. A foldable fabric flap 205 may be provided to fold over the open top of each pack 200 a-200 d and close the packs 200 a-200 d. The flap 205 may have a configuration similar to the configuration of the swatch of material (e.g., triangular in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2D) provided on the compartments 155, however, those having skill in the art would recognize that a variety of configurations could be used to conjure a coordinating system between the supply headquarters 100 and the packs 200 a-200 d. The flaps 205 may have a closure mechanism that cooperates with a closure mechanism on the front face of the packs 200 a-200 d. Suitable cooperating closure mechanisms may include, for example, buttons, hook and loop, snaps (e.g., magnetic snaps), zippers, etc. In various exemplary embodiments, the flaps 205 may provide the characteristic features 220, 222, 224, and 226.

In addition or in lieu of the cooperating closure mechanisms provided on the flap 205 and the front face of the packs 200 a-200 d, a closure mechanism, such as, for example, a zipper and/or other closure mechanism, may be provided to close the opening in the top of the packs 200 a-200 d. That is, the front face and back face may be provided with cooperating closure mechanisms to close the packs 200 a-200 d. In various exemplary embodiments, the packs 200 a-200 d may also include a handle 215 for ease in handling/portability of the packs 200 a-200 d and to provide aesthetic appeal. The handle 215 may, for example, be made of polypropylene webbing with thin grosgrain ribbon sewn on to webbing. The handle 215 also may include, for example, as the webbing and/or the ribbon, the characteristic feature 220, 222, 224, and 226, respectively. In various exemplary embodiments, the handle 215 may be attached to a zipper closure mechanism on the packs 200 a-200 d. By way of example only, the handle 215 may be a swatch of material (e.g., cotton), formed into a loop and attached to a zipper.

FIGS. 3A-3D show another exemplary embodiment of portable containers (e.g., packs) 300 a-300 d that are similar to packs 200 a-200 d with similar parts labeled the same except with a 300 series instead of a 200 series. The packs 300 a-300 d are similar to packs 200 a-200 d discussed above except for the characteristic features 320, 322, 324, and 326 being included on the main body 302 of the packs 300 a-300 d. By way of example, the packs 300 a-300 d may have a main body 302 made of a material comprising a characteristic feature chosen from a color, pattern, and/or texture. The main body 302 portion of the pack may incorporate a characteristic feature in numerous forms, as described herein, and material of color, pattern, and/or texture is exemplary only. The flaps 305 of the packs 300 a-300 d may include the characteristic features 320, 322, 324, and 326 on labels 345 a-345 d affixed thereto, as described with reference to FIGS. 2A-2D. Other components of the packs 300 a-300 d may be similar to those of the packs 200 a-200 d described above.

Those having skill in the art would understand various modifications that may be made to the portable containers in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present teachings, such as, for example, modifications to size, shape, materials, etc. without departing from the scope of the present teachings. Suitable materials for portable containers in accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present teachings include, but are not limited to, canvas, plastic (e.g., vinyl), polyester, cotton, cotton/polyester blend, nylon, and/or combinations thereof.

FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a supply headquarters 400 comprising a multi-compartment storage device 410 in accordance with the present teachings, with similar parts labeled as in FIG. 1 except with a 400 series rather than a 100 series. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, there are three compartments in each row A-D, with the two compartments 415 on each end being substantially the same size and the middle compartment 416 being larger to accommodate larger items for example. For simplification, the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4 does not show the items 190 within the compartments 415, 416. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, the characteristic features 420, 422, 424, and 426 are in different formats on the compartments 415 and 416. That is, the end compartments 415 include the characteristic feature 420 as a strip (e.g., a strip of material) on the top edge of each compartment 415 while the middle compartments 416 include a flap that comprises the characteristic feature 420, 422, 424, and 426. By way of example, the characteristic features 420, 422, 424, and 426 could be a material of a particular color, pattern, and/or texture. Numerous other modifications would be obvious to those having skill in the art for the arrangement of the supply headquarters without departing from the scope of the present teachings. The multi-compartment storage device 410 may include other features and/or modifications as described above with reference to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.

In various exemplary embodiments, the compartments 115, 415, 416 may have a width w1 ranging from about 2″ to about 24″ and a height h1 ranging from about 4″ to about 24″. The packs 200, 300 may have a width w2 ranging from about 4″ to about 28″ and a height h2 ranging from about 4″ to about 28″, with a depth (e.g., between the back surface and the front surface) ranging from about 0.1″ to about 5″. The overall supply headquarters 100 may have a width W ranging from about 8″ to about 26″ and a height H ranging from about 16″ to about 70″.

An exemplary method of using the system of FIGS. 1 and 2 will now be described. It will be understood that the description below applies equally to use of the component parts of the system in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4, however, for ease of reference, reference is made to FIGS. 1 and 2. It also will be understood that the packs of FIG. 3 may be used with the headquarters of FIG. 1 and the packs of FIG. 2 may be used with the headquarters of FIG. 4. To use the system, the method may include hanging the supply headquarters 100, for example, on a closet or other door, within a closet, or on a wall. In an exemplary embodiment, grommets and or ties (e.g., ribbons or other fabric loops) at the top of the storage device 110 may be hung on conventional over-the-door hangers. Supplies may then be stocked into rows A-D in the various compartments 115. By way of nonlimiting example, to organize items needed for an infant or toddler, a user may stock exemplary items 190, including but not limited to forks, spoons, bibs, snacks, small supplies of formula, bottles, cups, bowls, etc. into row A, which may be designated, for example, as “EAT” or some similar indicating label 145 that describes the type of items supplied in row A compartments 115. These items may be stocked in any arrangement and may be stocked in plurality within a single compartment 115. In an exemplary embodiment, in the compartments 115 of row B, a user may stock exemplary items including but not limited to rattles, blocks, balls, toys, books, etc., and the corresponding indicating label 145 designated as “PLAY,” or some similar indication of the types of items in row B. In an exemplary embodiment, row C may be stocked with the following exemplary items 190, including but not limited to, diapers, wipes, lotions, diaper pins, etc. Row C may have a corresponding indicating label 145 designated as “POTTY” or some similar indication of the types of items in row C. The row D compartments may be stocked with exemplary items 190 including but not limited to pacifiers, sunglasses, mittens, sunhat, etc. and the corresponding indicating label 145 may be designated as “A-Z,” or some similar indication of the types of items 190 in the row D compartments 115. The corresponding items 190 in each row A-D may be stocked in any arrangement within the row and may be stocked in plurality within a single compartment 115. Each compartment 115 within a row A-D need not carry identical items, but may carry different items of the same type—for example, one or more spoons, knives, and forks may be contained in the same compartment 115. Those of skill in the art would recognize that a user of the system need not stock the supply headquarters 100 and that the supply headquarters could come pre-stocked or be stocked by someone other than the user in various exemplary embodiments.

In various other exemplary embodiments, the supply headquarters 100 could also be used to stock items to be used in another central location where the headquarters 100 is stationed, such as, for example, school rooms, daycare centers, doctors' offices, etc. Those having skill in the art will understand that the home, as used in the description of various exemplary embodiments set forth herein, represents only an example of a central location with which the present teachings find use and that various other central locations, such as those mentioned above and others, for example, are considered with the scope of the present teachings. While items such as, for example, clothing, toys, snacks, cosmetics, toiletries, diapering supplies, first aid supplies, craft supplies, school supplies, etc. can be packed for use outside a central location, the supply headquarters 100 is useful for organizing items, seeing what one needs, and maximizing space, regardless of where the items are used (including, for example, whether used within or outside the home or central location).

According to another exemplary aspect, a method of using the system of FIGS. 1 and 2A-2D, may include a user taking one or more items 190 from the supply headquarters 100 when leaving the home (or other central location where the supply headquarters 100 is stationed) and organizing those one or more items 190 into one or more corresponding packs 200 a-200 d. For example, if a user desires to take along various items from row A, the user will select the desired one or more items 190 from row A and place them in carrying pack 200 a. If a user desires to take along one or more items from row B, the user will select the desired one or more items 190 from row B and place them in carrying pack 200 b, and so on for rows C and D and packs 200 c and 200 d, respectively. One or more of carrying packs 200 a-200 d, stocked with the various items 190 as described above from the corresponding rows A-D, may then be carried with the user for use outside of the home or other central location and used as needed. It should be understood that the packs 200 a-200 d may be carried individually or one or more packs 200 a-200 d may be carried together. Further, each time a user leaves the home or other central location, the user may decide which of the plurality of packs 200 a-200 d needs replenishment and with what items from the supply headquarters 100. As the user depletes the supplies in packs 200 a-200 d, the user then replenishes those packs with supplies stocked in corresponding headquarters compartments in rows A-D.

The packs 200 a-200 d can facilitate a user in finding items of a particular type when they are needed. For example, when changing an infant's diaper away from home, a caretaker may easily know to locate and pull one or more items from coordinated and/or labeled carrying pack 200 c in the exemplary embodiment described above. That is, the characteristic features 220, 222, 224, and 226 and/or labels 245 a-245 d on each carrying pack 200 a-200 d provide guidance to a user to impart knowledge of the types of items contained in each respective pack 200 a-200 d to facilitate readily knowing which pack 200 a-200 d to access when in need of a particular item.

Thus, in accordance with exemplary embodiments, the packs 200 a-200 d have one or more characteristic features 220, 222, 224, and 226 that respectively correspond to the characteristic features 120, 122, 124, and 126 so that a user may know what items to take from each of the rows A-D of the supply headquarters 100 and place in one or more of each respective pack 200 a-200 d when leaving the home. The carrying packs 200 a-200 d may be configured to maximize space, simplify packing, and neatly organize items that may be needed or desired when traveling away from the home. In various exemplary embodiments, the carrying packs 200 a-200 d make supplies relatively easy to see and/or locate when away from the home. The packs can be carried individually, clipped together, stored in a larger tote bag, hung on a stroller handle, etc.

In an exemplary embodiment, a travel tote, which may include but is not limited to, for example, a diaper bag, duffle bag, backpack, or other larger tote bag, may be used with the systems of the present teachings. FIGS. 5A and 5B show a plan view and an interior view of an exemplary embodiment of a travel tote 500 in accordance with the present teachings. The travel tote 500 has a configuration similar to other conventional totes with which those of ordinary skill in the art are readily familiar. However, in the interior of the tote 500, compartments 515 comprising a portion including a characteristic feature that corresponds to characteristic features of the packs 200 a-200 d or 300 a-300 d and/or of the rows A-D of the supply headquarters 100, 400 may be included. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5B, the interior of the tote bag 500 includes four compartments 515 comprising four differing characteristic features 520, 522, 524, and 526 corresponding respectively to the characteristic features shown and described with reference to FIGS. 1-4.

The compartments 515 in FIG. 5B are formed by pockets created between inner surfaces of the tote 500, with two pockets formed on each larger lateral inner surface of the tote 500. Each compartment 515 may be configured to receive a respective pack 200 a-200 d or 300 a-300 d. In particular, the compartment 515 comprising characteristic feature 520 may receive the pack 200 a or 300 a comprising characteristic feature 220 or 320, etc. Accordingly, the tote 500 may provide a convenient manner to carry and organize all of the packs 200 a-200 d or 300 a-300 d, while facilitating a user in finding each pack within the tote 500.

In various exemplary embodiments, all or a portion of the exterior of the tote 500 may also incorporate one or more of the characteristic features of the packs 200 a-200 d or 300 a-300 d. By way of example, all or a portion of the tote 500 may be made of a material incorporating the characteristic feature, such as, for example, a color, pattern, and/or texture which may provide an association in a user's mind with the overall system of FIGS. 1-4. Further, the tote 500 may be used without the packs 200 a-200 d or 300 a-300 d and instead be used directly with the supply headquarters 100 or 400. In that case, for example, items may be selected from one or more compartments 115 or 415 and 416 in each row A-D of the supply headquarters 100 or 400 and placed in the respective compartments 515 comprising the corresponding characteristic feature 520, 522, 524, and 526 that is substantially similar to (e.g., matches) respectively the characteristic features 120, 122, 124, and 126 or 420, 422, 424, and 426.

The tote 500 may be made of a variety of materials, including, but not limited to, for example, canvas, plastic (e.g., vinyl), polyester, cotton, cotton/polyester blend, nylon, and/or combinations thereof. In various exemplary embodiments, the tote 500 may have a width w_(t) ranging from about 10 in. to about 20 in., a height h_(t) ranging from about 8 in. to about 20 in., and a depth d_(t) ranging from about 1.5 in. to about 6 in.

Those of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the tote 500 in FIGS. 5A and 5B may be modified in numerous ways, including but not limited to, for example, the number of compartments 515 and thus characteristic features, the arrangement and/or configuration of the compartments 515, the location of the compartments 515 relative to the tote bag 500 (e.g., one or more compartments may be located on an exterior of the tote bag 500), etc. Moreover, in various exemplary embodiments, one or more compartments of the tote 500 may be configured to receive the various materials (e.g., notepads, instructions, contact list, etc) received by the compartments 165, 365 of the supply headquarters 100, 300.

Various exemplary embodiments of the present teachings provide systems and methods that provide organization for groups of items, access to those items, maximization of storage space, and facilitate and make efficient the process of being prepared to leave the home (or other central location) with items that may be needed. Various exemplary embodiments of the present teachings provide systems and methods that facilitate an individual in locating desired items for use when traveling away from the home. The characteristic features in accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present teachings may serve as a cue (e.g., prompt) to an individual using the system to designate the types of items received within a compartment or carrying pack comprising the designated characteristic feature associated with that item type. The characteristic features in accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present teachings also may serve as a cue (e.g., prompt) to an individual using the system as to how to select items from one or more compartments of the storage device to respectively place in one or more portable containers, thereby promoting organization when packing items to bring outside of a central location, such as the home, for example.

In various exemplary embodiments, the supply headquarters, the carrying containers, and/or the travel tote may be provided in a pre-stocked manner. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more items stocked in those components may be environmentally friendly products.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the teachings herein. By way of example, the number of differing characteristic features may vary depending, for example, on the number of types of items it is desired to store, organize, and/or carry. Likewise, the number of carrying packs may vary depending on, for example, the number of types of items, the number of rows, and/or the number of compartments of a multi-compartment storage device. The size, shape, material and/or other configuration parameters of the carrying containers and the compartments of the supply headquarters and/or the travel tote also may vary depending on, for example, the type of items to be stored and/or carried. Further, it is envisioned that a supply headquarters may be in the form of separate storage compartments or containers or groups of storage compartments or containers that each have differing characteristic features. For example, one or more buckets, bins, and/or baskets having a first characteristic feature may be filled with items of a first type and one or more buckets, bins, and/or baskets having a second characteristic feature that differs from the first characteristic feature may be used in lieu of or in addition to the storage device exemplified in FIGS. 1 and 4.

By way of another example, rows A-D of the supply headquarters may be labeled (e.g., with labels 145 or 445) indicating the type of items to be stocked in each row A-D without the rows A-D having a characteristic feature other than the label. A plurality of carrying containers (e.g., which may have a similar shape and size to carrying packs 200 a-200 d or 300 a-300 d) may be provided to correspond to each row A-D. The corresponding carrying containers may or may not have a label corresponding to the label on each of rows A-D.

In another exemplary embodiment, the items stocked in supply headquarters may not be organized by rows A-D, but rather by individual compartments. By way of nonlimiting example, a school teacher or aide could hang a supply headquarters within a classroom and each individual compartment may be labeled with a student's name. Paperwork, homework assignments, etc. could be stored in these compartments, and then these items could later be sent home with the students in their respective backpacks or other carrying bag. In yet another example, a daycare center could use a similar system to stock diapers and other supplies or items in various compartments that correspond to individual children. In an alternative arrangement, each of a plurality of rows comprising one or more compartments could be filled with various items corresponding to an individual child (e.g., child A may have diapers, wipes, a change of clothes, etc corresponding to that child in row A, child B may have diapers, wipes, a change of clothes, etc. corresponding to that child in row B, etc.) As needed, those supplies or items could be sent home with the parents, for example, in the child's backpack or other carrying bag.

By way of further nonlimiting example, a person could store cosmetics or toiletries in various compartments 115 of the various rows A-D of a supply headquarters 100 at home. The rows A-D may have a characteristic feature and the user may use one or more carrying containers (e.g., 200 a-200 d or 300 a-300 d) having respective characteristic features corresponding to the rows A-D within which to place the toiletries and carry those items for travel away from the home.

Thus, although many of the exemplary embodiments discussed above describe use of an organizational system for storing and carrying items useful when leaving the home with infants and/or toddlers, those skilled in the art would appreciate that systems and methods in accordance with the present teachings may be useful for a wide variety of items, and items useful for infants and/or toddlers serve as one nonlimiting example of use of the systems and methods described herein.

Those having skill in the art also will appreciate that various features described herein with respect to one exemplary embodiment may be used in combination with other exemplary embodiments, even if not specifically described; such modifications to exemplary embodiments being obvious to those ordinarily skilled in the art.

In various exemplary embodiments, where practical, the various components of the organizational system may be made of environmentally-friendly materials, such as, for example 100% cotton materials, for example, for the bodies of the carrying packs, the tote, the backing of the supply headquarters. Also, in various exemplary embodiments, various items stocked in the supply headquarters, carrying packs, and/or tote may include organic and/or environmentally-friendly products.

Other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the teachings disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only. 

1. An organization system, comprising: a storage device comprising a plurality of compartments, wherein the plurality of compartments comprise at least a first compartment having a first characteristic feature and at least a second compartment having a second characteristic feature that differs from the first characteristic feature; a first portable container comprising the first characteristic feature, and a second portable container comprising the second characteristic feature.
 2. The organization system of claim 1, wherein the characteristic feature is chosen from a color, pattern, texture, sound, smell, or combination thereof.
 3. The organization system of claim 1, wherein the storage device comprises a plurality of groups of compartments and the compartments in each group comprise substantially similar characteristic features.
 4. The organization system of claim 1, further comprising a tote configured to receive the first portable container and the second portable container.
 5. The organization system of claim 4, wherein the tote comprises a first compartment comprising the first characteristic feature and a second compartment comprising the second characteristic feature, the first and second compartments being configured to receive one of the first and second portable containers.
 6. The organization system of claim 1, wherein the storage device is configured to hang on at least one of a door, a wall, or a closet hanger.
 7. The organization system of claim 1, wherein the storage device comprises a backing and the compartments comprise pockets on the backing.
 8. The organization system of claim 1, wherein the storage device comprises a plurality of first compartments comprising the first characteristic feature and a plurality of second compartments comprising the second characteristic feature.
 9. The organization system of claim 1, wherein the first compartment is configured to receive items of a first type and the second compartment is configured to receive items of a second type that differs from the first type.
 10. The organization system of claim 1, wherein the storage device comprises at least one compartment without a characteristic feature.
 11. The organization system of claim 1, further comprising: a first label associated with the first compartment and the first portable container for identifying a first type of item; and a second label associated with the second compartment and the second portable container for identifying a second type of item that differs from the first type.
 12. A method of organizing, the method comprising: prompting an individual to place items of a first type into at least one first compartment comprising a first characteristic feature and to place items of a second type into at least one second compartment comprising a second characteristic feature that differs from the first characteristic feature; prompting the individual to remove items of the first type from the at least one first compartment and to place the removed items into a first portable container comprising the first characteristic feature; and prompting the individual to remove items of the second type from the at least one second compartment and to place the removed items into a second portable container comprising the second characteristic feature.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising prompting the individual to carry the portable containers containing the removed items to a location remote from a location of the at least one first compartment and the at least one second compartment.
 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising prompting the individual to place the first portable container in a first compartment of a travel tote comprising the first characteristic feature and the second portable container in a second compartment of the travel tote comprising the second characteristic feature.
 15. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing a storage device comprising the at least one first compartment having the first characteristic feature and the at least one second compartment having the second characteristic feature; and providing the first portable container the second portable container.
 17. A method for organizing, the method comprising: providing at least one item of a first type in at least one first storage compartment having a first characteristic feature; providing at least one item of a second type that differs from the first type in at least one second storage compartment having a second characteristic feature that differs from the first characteristic feature; removing the at least one item of the first type from the first storage compartment and placing the at least one item of the first type into a first portable container comprising the first characteristic feature; and removing the at least one item of the second type from the second storage compartment and placing the at least one item of the second type into a second portable container comprising the second characteristic feature.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least one first storage compartment and the at least one second storage compartment are part of a storage device and the method further comprises placing the storage device in a first location.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising carrying the first and second portable containers to at least one location remote from the first location.
 20. The method of claim 17, further comprising placing the first and second portable containers respectively into a first compartment and a second compartment of a travel tote, the first compartment comprising the first characteristic feature and the second compartment comprising the second characteristic feature. 